Dentist strike in New Zealand set for October 23 as senior doctors join nationwide protest over pay and staffing
Senior dentists and doctors in New Zealand are preparing to join a four-hour nationwide strike on October 23, 2025, alongside nurses, teachers, and allied health professionals, in what unions are calling one of the largest coordinated walkouts in the country’s recent history.
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) confirmed that about 4,000 senior doctors and dentists will stop work from 11 am to 3 pm, demanding fair pay and action to address severe workforce shortages that have left hospitals struggling to cope.
Meanwhile, over 36,000 nurses employed by Health NZ (Te Whatu Ora), 40,000 teachers, and 11,500 allied health workers will also strike the same day — sending a unified message to the government to prioritize staffing and sustainable working conditions.
Pay and staffing crisis at breaking point
Union leaders say years of underfunding, inflation, and stagnant salaries have eroded morale across the public sector. Health workers warn that staff burnout and ongoing vacancies are directly impacting patient safety.
“Doctors, dentists, and nurses are exhausted,” said an ASMS spokesperson. “We are calling for meaningful investment to retain skilled professionals who are leaving for better conditions overseas.”
Government representatives have urged unions to resume talks but warn the strike will likely disrupt hospital services, outpatient appointments, and elective surgeries such as hip, knee, and cataract procedures.
Unions counter that patients are already suffering under existing conditions. “We didn’t choose this lightly,” one health worker stated. “But silence would mean accepting a collapsing system.”
Coordinated action across New Zealand
The October 23 strike will span major cities including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Dunedin, where thousands are expected to rally outside hospitals and public buildings.
Organizers emphasize that the strike is not only about pay but about protecting the future of New Zealand’s public services. Teachers and nurses say the action highlights systemic neglect affecting both health and education — sectors foundational to national wellbeing.
If negotiations fail, unions have warned of further strike action in late 2025.
What the unions are demanding
The joint unions’ key demands include:
- Competitive pay increases matching inflation and skill level
- Safe staffing ratios to reduce burnout and improve patient safety
- Fair compensation for overtime and on-call work
- Long-term funding to rebuild the public sector workforce
Experts say this wave of industrial action signals a broader crisis in public workforce retention, particularly in healthcare, where international migration continues to drain local talent.
Growing public support
Public opinion appears mixed but increasingly sympathetic. Many citizens say they understand the frustration behind the strikes, especially as hospital wait times lengthen and schools face growing teacher shortages.
While the government has expressed concern over the timing, unions insist they will continue to fight until fair agreements are reached.
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